Readers’ Letters

Stun gun theory had them all in stitches

Back at Edinburgh Airport after some family fun in sunny Spain, my father-in-law Jim, his wife, my wife Catherine, our son and I made our way through baggage reclaim before returning to our parked cars. 

However, as Jim and I reached for our key fobs we were annoyed to find neither worked and both cars were totally immobilised.

I called the AA, but Jim declared he feared we’d parked in the wrong area. Convinced airport staff had deactivated our cars with stun guns for fear of a terrorist attack, he went to see someone in charge to demand some answers.

Sympathies

He retold his tale to the car park manager who offered his sympathies for the disastrous end to Jim’s holiday.

Jim said he assumed some sort of stun gun had been used to deactivate his car.

“No sir, we definitely don’t have stun guns, nor do I think we’d be allowed to use them if we did,” replied the manager with an ever-expanding grin. 

And with a glance at our still stationary vehicles he offered a simple explanation, “I think you just left your lights on!”

Fortunately the AA were soon on hand to get us back on the road and Jim’s talk of stun guns helped us forget the winter chill as we all laughed uncontrollably at his expense.

Dominic Kite, Aberdeen.

Recent letters about wearing the kilt prompted me to send in this pic of my son Lucian in his. Despite living in Oslo he won’t forget his roots!

Jen McConachie, Oslo.

Gave up

I received the leaflet, “It’s quick and easy to apply for a new tax disc online or by phone.” It states you can pay by debit or credit card, so I decided to pay by debit card as there’s a £2.50 credit card charge. On the Internet, I put a dot in all the circles, but, when it came to paying, no debit card option was given. So I clicked on “Contact Us” which gave only a phone number. On phoning the number, an automated recording told me to choose from four options, but when I selected Option 1, “To apply for tax disc”, the voice said, “I’m sorry, the number has not been recognised”. I gave up and went to the Post Office as usual.

Ian Malcolm, St. Andrews.

Al-Anon

RE YOUR letter “Still waiting” from R.M. of Glasgow. She thought her husband “might be” an alcoholic. Sorry, but I think he is. A good definition is, “Someone who has lost the ability to control his or her drinking.” I suggest your correspondent contacts Al-Anon (0141 339 8884) which is for people whose lives are affected by somebody else’s drinking. If her husband wants to stop drinking he should contact Alcoholics Anonymous (08457 697555). 

John, Perthshire.

Simple!

WE HAD a great scam for writing lines at Breadalbane Academy in the ’50s. We’d tape three or four blue pens together and, using carbon paper, did the lines in a fraction of the time. Simple!

Margaret Kennedy, Aberfeldy.

A Piece of My Mind

I COMMEND Ruth Kelly for looking into the causes of road deaths and proposals to add extra training before candidates take the test.
However, safe driving can only be learned by experience — being alone in a car mile after mile, day after day, week after week. 
Newly qualified and inexperienced drivers rush through roundabouts and crossroads, ignore traffic signs and road markings. Many don’t appear to know what the speed limits are. I see a lot of drivers slowing for speed cameras when they’re not speeding.
Experience can only be gained by clocking up the miles. Someone who hasn’t driven for six months after passing the test is deemed as competent as someone who’s driven every day for six months, which they clearly are not.
For the first year there ought to be restrictions — compulsory probationary plates, no driving after dark for three months, no passengers except family for six months, limited engine power for 12 months, for example.
A short assessment should follow before being allowed full freedom of the road. Any breach of these rules and it should be back to square one.

Steven Bewley, Cowdenbeath.

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